Tuesday, June 30, 2015

OH BOY, this week Blueberries were on sale and seasonally fresh! Just ninety-nine cents a pint!

This recipe only uses ingredients commonly in my fridge or pantry (with the possible exception of the sour cream), making these little gems seem almost free!

The recipe will make about 3 dozen small mini muffins (my favorite size).

I do have one trick to make the blueberries POP with extra juiciness...

I like to moisten the blueberries with Lemon Juice, them coat each with a bit of sugar. Let them sit for a few minutes and the acidic lemon juice with gently start to "cook" the berries, releasing the juices and increasing the berry flavor.

By adding sour cream to the recipe you are increasing the fat content. Again, extra flavor. You can of course substitute Whole Milk or even Buttermilk for a change of pace.

But I like the taste of the Sour Cream!!!

Cheap, Loaded with extra flavor and a show stopping gem for any Sunday Morning treat (that's where these ended up) or will fit nicely as a catering dish for a light breakfast (Really, what would you rather have, a plate of these or a box of over processed store bought donuts???)!

OK... Here's what I did...

Sour Cream Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients

1 Pint (2 Cups)Blueberries

Zest and Juice of 1Lemon

2 TBSSugar

For the CRUMBTOPPING

1/4 CupFlour

2 TBSSugar

2 TBSBrown Sugar

1 tspCinnamon

2 TBSCOLD Butter, cut into 4 pieces

For the MUFFINS

8 TBS (1 Stick)Butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 CupSugar

2 LargeEggs

2-1/4 CupFlour

4 tspBaking Powder

Large pinch of Salt

1 CupSour Cream

2 tspVanilla

1/4 Cup (amount as needed)Half and Half (can substitute Whole Milk)

Cooking Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

First, prepare the Blueberries, in a bowl, mix together the Blueberries and the Lemon Zest and Juice. Mix well to coat each blueberry with a little sugar and juice. Set aside for 20 minutes (about the time it takes to mix remaining ingredients).

Next, prepare the topping. In the bowl of a food processor, add the Flour, Sugar and Cinnamon and turn the machine on. Add each piece of butter to the machine as it is running. Pulse until you have crumbles, like little beads. Set aside while you make the batter.

Now, for the Muffin Batter, in a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, Flour, Baking Powder and Salt.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the Butter and Sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, add the vanilla and finally add the Sour Cream and blend until fully incorporated.

Add the Butter Cream mixture to the flour and blend until just incorporated. DO NOT OVER MIX or the muffins will be dense not light and fluffy. Add additional Milk (or Half and Half) as needed for the batter to be smooth and milk shake consistency, remembering to NOT OVER MIX (Very Important).

Add the .Blueberries and stir lightly to mix.

Spoon the batter into the mini muffin tray (lines with papers if you like or treated with non stick spray), filling to about 3/4 up the side.

Sprinkle each muffin with a bit of the topping crumbs.

Bake until Golden, dry and springy to the touch, about 13 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin should come out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Unmold the muffins.

It's the most important meal of the day. From fancy to simple, there are always ways to dress up a breakfast dish. These are the meals that make Bed and Breakfast Inns legendary (and usually easier than you think).

A list of something NEW worthy of being shown off at a neighborhood BYODish (Bring Your Own Dish) Party, a Family special occasion dinner, Any Big Holiday Gathering or of course that glorious day when you bring a dish to share with your Church family...

Ages ago, literally almost a half century ago I was listening to our pastor talking about a PotLuck Dinner. It happened to be scheduled around a church work day when we were expected to weed, polish and do general cleaning and maintenance around the church (you know, back in the day when there were no no-wax floors and church pews smelled of Old English furniture polish). I am of course paraphrasing, but as I recall the pastor said,

"A potluck, like a church requires work. At a potluck everyone is expected to contribute.. At a church no one should come empty handed and no one should leave unfed".

I will confess that in my youth I brought more store bought plastic spoons and forks than I ever brought covered dishes and crock pots of fresh made love and caring delights. But now that I have become a hobbyist cook, I occasionally am reminded of those days and people from my youth. I reminded and I do wish that I could drop a dish of some new creation on those old tables at my fondly remembered Liberty Baptist Church. Tables covered with newspapers and loaded with God's bounty prepared with love and caring... Enjoy

Come and find me on Pinterest... Any of my "52 Ways to cook" Boards are worth following. If you like this post, please take a second and "Pin" this to your own boards... Better yet, if you are part of a foodie group board please take a second and add this post to your group pins... best way to show your Love!

And BTW, if you are not yet part of a group board, drop me an email at Contact@eRecipeCards.com and request to be added to my group board... FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS! (be sure to include your pinterest ID when you write) Once you are added, any pins you add will be seen by 10s of THOUSANDS of followers of the board (and growing daily).

Rules, only 2...

In order to join you need to start following the group board as well as at least one of my boards.

And you must ONLY pin original sources, posts from food related bloggers only. If you are a blogger, this is a great way to have thousands of potential readers see your work, If you are a fan of bloggers, a great way to share your favorites... Come and be a part of ... FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS! on Pinterest

Monday, June 29, 2015

OK, First an apology or at the least an explanation... I am filing this with my Small Batch Canning ideas, but in fact this is a LARGE Batch canning Idea. This recipe made 11 (Yeap, Eleven) Pint size jars of sauce. I do grill alot. I do make gifts of a jar of the sauce for anyone who compliments the concoction. I made this much last year and ran out within a year.

Since I am storing this for up to a year, I did use a waterbath to seal the jars in a safe manor. Not difficult at all. In fact I do not own a dedicated "Canner". I use a large tall pasta pot, being sure that the boiling eater covers the jars by at least an inch. Works great!

Keep scrolling down for this easy to follow recipe...

The sauce itself tastes similar to A-1 Steak Sauce just with a much higher kick of spice. As with all recipes, you control the heat. If you taste the sauce just before you transfer to canning jars and the sauce is too spicy, add some additional Brown Sugar. If you want additional spice, add some extra Chili Powder, Minced Peppers or even Hot Pepper Flakes (Just be sure to mix well before separating into jars, love that hand wand mixer!).

The measurements given are meant to be easy "Dump" sizes. Just open the cans.

The big can of sauce is the size that they sell at the big warehouse stores (I like Sam's Club, close to my house). The Mandarin Oranges and Worcestershire Sauce measurements are also the size of the cans (bottle).

My total cost (I buy on sale, and watch for discounts when I can) was under $15.

11 Pints - Less than a buck and a quarter each!!!

OK... Here's what I did...

Texas Steak Sauce

Ingredients

6 Pounds 9 Ounces (1 BIG CAN)Tomato Sauce

12 OuncesWorcestershire Sauce

2 MediumOnions, Fine DIce

1 Full Head Garlic, Minced

1 CupApple Cider Vinegar

28 Ounces (1 Big Can)Mandarin Oranges

2 Cups Brown Sugar

1/2 CupMolasses

1/2 Cup Chili Powder (To Taste)

1/4 CupCumin

4 TBSCorriander

18 Ounces Tomato Paste

A Dozen Pint size (2 Cups)Canning Jars with lids

Cooking Directions

This is a very simple DUMP Recipe... Just Dump everything into a LARGE Crock Pot (I needed to divide and use two crock pots, just a hair too much liquid).

BUT First, Before adding the Mandarin Oranges, run them through a food processor to liquefy (or Blender or hand wand mixer).

Once everything is in the crock pot(s), Set on Low and simmer for 8 hours, stirring every couple of hours.

At the end of 8 hours, Using a hand wand mixer (or work in batches in a food processor or blender), blend until smooth.

Now, it's time to can! PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set bands aside.

I love Canning! Love the idea of it, Love having my own Jellies, Pickled produce, Sauces, Chutneys... All those pint, half pint, 4 Ounce jars,,, Even big quart jars of Spaghetti Sauce Lined up in my basement storage shelves. Small batch means I can usually finish a project in no more than an hour of hands on work and usually less. Easy DIY Projects that last a month or more... Great ideas for first time canners!

Well over 52 recipes actually as I just can't stop... Over 100 in one grilling season (I love to grill!). But not just leat... Drinks, Condiments (LOTS of different BBQ sauces), Drinks, Desserts... even specialty items like GRILLED Pizza, and fun shaped Watermelons. Easy and these ideas will make you the MASTER of your Backyard Domain!

Come and find me on Pinterest... Any of my "52 Ways to cook" Boards are worth following. If you like this post, please take a second and "Pin" this to your own boards... Better yet, if you are part of a foodie group board please take a second and add this post to your group pins... best way to show your Love!

And BTW, if you are not yet part of a group board, drop me an email at Contact@eRecipeCards.com and request to be added to my group board... FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS! (be sure to include your pinterest ID when you write) Once you are added, any pins you add will be seen by 10s of THOUSANDS of followers of the board (and growing daily).

Rules, only 2...

In order to join you need to start following the group board as well as at least one of my boards.

And you must ONLY pin original sources, posts from food related bloggers only. If you are a blogger, this is a great way to have thousands of potential readers see your work, If you are a fan of bloggers, a great way to share your favorites... Come and be a part of ... FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS! on Pinterest

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Except, great name, so much fun to say but, excuse me, but I still HATE Lima Beans. Dress 'em up and cal them edamame if you like, but I still channel my inner 6 year ols and refuse to eat my Lima Beans (even in that veggie salad with the great name).

So... Simple enough, for this recipe I added Sugar Snap Peas in place of the traditional Lima Beans and Viola (insert that popping sound when you slap your hand against your open mouth)... A Succotash everyone LOVES!

Once prepped, the dish comes together pretty fast, about 10 minutes. I made this on my Weber Grill in a cast iron skillet for a side dish to a BBQ (RIBS!). But works just as easy on the stove top.

Slice the corn from the cob (be careful not to go too deep or you will get more of the bitter parts), Use the back of the knife to press and squeeze out the milk of the cob (If using canned corn, drain and rinse)

Heat the butter in a large saute pan. Add the Onion, saute for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the garlic and saute for an additional minute. Add the corn and corn milk (Add 2 TBS Whole Milk (I use Half and Half) if using canned corn) and stir to combine.

Add the Snap Peas, Sugar and Cream Cheese and cook until cheese has liquefied, stirring continuously for 3-4 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and stir one last time to combine.

Transfer to serving dish and garnish with green onions and Parmesan Cheese.

Well over 52 recipes actually as I just can't stop... Over 100 in one grilling season (I love to grill!). But not just leat... Drinks, Condiments (LOTS of different BBQ sauces), Drinks, Desserts... even specialty items like GRILLED Pizza, and fun shaped Watermelons. Easy and these ideas will make you the MASTER of your Backyard Domain!

Come and find me on Pinterest... Any of my "52 Ways to cook" Boards are worth following. If you like this post, please take a second and "Pin" this to your own boards... Better yet, if you are part of a foodie group board please take a second and add this post to your group pins... best way to show your Love!

And BTW, if you are not yet part of a group board, drop me an email at Contact@eRecipeCards.com and request to be added to my group board... FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS! (be sure to include your pinterest ID when you write) Once you are added, any pins you add will be seen by 10s of THOUSANDS of followers of the board (and growing daily).

Rules, only 2...

In order to join you need to start following the group board as well as at least one of my boards.

And you must ONLY pin original sources, posts from food related bloggers only. If you are a blogger, this is a great way to have thousands of potential readers see your work, If you are a fan of bloggers, a great way to share your favorites... Come and be a part of ... FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS! on Pinterest

Monday, June 1, 2015

This came from a catering job. I was asked to make several items using chocolate chips for an office party celebrating National Chocolate Chip Day (May 15th, who knew???). I needed to make sweets ahead of time, something that would sit well and serve either chilled or room temperature...

And was memorably tasty and had a dramatic presentation... This is it!

This is a versatile recipe, make just about any flavor of coffee cake, add some sweetened cream cheese, flavor the cream cheese and you have about the most moist, flavor filled coffee cake you can imagine!

I just love that ribbon of soft cream cheese in the center of this cake!

These are the desserts you make for your family. No fancy amazing wedding cakes, just the rustic beauty of the classics. From pumpkin pie to cheesecakes to layer cakes, these are what your family craves for dessert. You may even see a few unusual crusts and frosting ideas to try.

You get the idea. These recipes are simple, delicious and will have your family wanting dessert first...

A list of something NEW worthy of being shown off at a neighborhood BYODish (Bring Your Own Dish) Party, a Family special occasion dinner, Any Big Holiday Gathering or of course that glorious day when you bring a dish to share with your Church family...

Ages ago, literally almost a half century ago I was listening to our pastor talking about a PotLuck Dinner. It happened to be scheduled around a church work day when we were expected to weed, polish and do general cleaning and maintenance around the church (you know, back in the day when there were no no-wax floors and church pews smelled of Old English furniture polish). I am of course paraphrasing, but as I recall the pastor said,

"A potluck, like a church requires work. At a potluck everyone is expected to contribute.. At a church no one should come empty handed and no one should leave unfed".

I will confess that in my youth I brought more store bought plastic spoons and forks than I ever brought covered dishes and crock pots of fresh made love and caring delights. But now that I have become a hobbyist cook, I occasionally am reminded of those days and people from my youth. I reminded and I do wish that I could drop a dish of some new creation on those old tables at my fondly remembered Liberty Baptist Church. Tables covered with newspapers and loaded with God's bounty prepared with love and caring... Enjoy

Come and find me on Pinterest... Any of my "52 Ways to cook" Boards are worth following. If you like this post, please take a second and "Pin" this to your own boards... Better yet, if you are part of a foodie group board please take a second and add this post to your group pins... best way to show your Love!

And BTW, if you are not yet part of a group board, drop me an email at Contact@eRecipeCards.com and request to be added to my group board... FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS! (be sure to include your pinterest ID when you write) Once you are added, any pins you add will be seen by 10s of THOUSANDS of followers of the board (and growing daily).

Rules, only 2...

In order to join you need to start following the group board as well as at least one of my boards.

And you must ONLY pin original sources, posts from food related bloggers only. If you are a blogger, this is a great way to have thousands of potential readers see your work, If you are a fan of bloggers, a great way to share your favorites...Come and be a part of ... FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS! on Pinterest

Comforting, Warming, Delicious Scratch Made SOUP!

COOKIES!!! Bars!!! and Truffles!!!

Grilling Time Secret Extras

infuse recipes with this intoxicating concoction of hops and barley

Follow by Email

About Me

Cul de Sac Cuisine. Making the most of local, fresh and best the suburbs have to offer. Just a little healthy eating, but always instructional and inviting. The suburban Cul de Sac is where it's at, and my back yard is the place to be!